Post-disaster response of Amphan amid COVID-19 pandemic

Suffering triggered by cyclones and strong storm surges are not new in the coastal areas of Bangladesh because of its tropical geomorphic position. Almost every year, coastal people face this type of fierce storms.

Previously, people and various local organisations across the country and international groups around the world would try to help in multiple ways, with financial aid or food supplies. This is mostly out of focus now because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, to fight against any disaster like the cyclone Amphan, proper preparedness is essential. That is an issue of concern in post-disaster response in the affected area.

. According to an article jointly written by prime minister Sheikh Hasina in The Guardian on 3 June 2020, we have come to know that cyclone Amphan washed out about 415km of roads, 200 bridges, tens of thousands of homes destroyed, and damaged more than 150km of embankments leading to intrude the saltwater into the localities. Primarily, UNDP reported that approximately 149,000 hectares of agriculture land and fish farms (Tk 3.25 billion) were damaged during this cyclone. It is really saddening to know after talking with our colleagues and students at the Amphan-affected area that the suffering of the local people, especially in Satkhira district, Deluti and Koyra unions in Khulna, is beyond much of our imagination. . The catastrophes vary in name only but the story of sufferings of the coastal people remains the same. This year, the super cyclone Amphan during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a new dimension of disaster management issues in Bangladesh. The mass evacuation and maintaining social distance during this pandemic time was extremely challenging. The government of Bangladesh responded to increase the number of temporary cyclone shelters in a very short period of time and evacuated about 2.4 million people from the coastal areas. Though the cyclone appeared strong, the existence of the largest mangrove forest Sundarbans safeguarded the country as always, lessening the adverse impact of Amphan. Sundarbans must be protected from various destructive work.

According to an article jointly written by prime minister Sheikh Hasina in The Guardian on 3 June 2020, we have come to know that cyclone Amphan washed out about 415km of roads, 200 bridges, tens of thousands of homes destroyed, and damaged more than 150km of embankments leading to intrude the saltwater into the localities. Primarily, UNDP reported that approximately 149,000 hectares of agriculture land and fish farms (Tk 3.25 billion) were damaged during this cyclone. It is really saddening to know after talking with our colleagues and students at the Amphan-affected area that the suffering of the local people, especially in Satkhira district, Deluti and Koyra unions in Khulna, is beyond much of our imagination.

. The villages of many areas are still under the water and shrimp enclosures were washed away. The sanitation system is broken, too. The community may fall into danger of waterborne diseases and transmission could worsen this situation during this pandemic. The monsoon rain has just begun in Bangladesh. This would be really tough to the affected people because their homes have been destroyed by the high speed wind and torrential rain of Amphan.

The coastal community was just on the verge of recovery from the impact of Sidr and Aila in this southern region. The inevitable recurrences of the phenomenon impacted the community in multiple ways. Saline soil due to the Sidr and Aila, the livelihood was encouraged from agriculture to shrimp culture. Besides, some people migrated to bigger cities burdening the population load there. The number of jobless people may increase if they can’t go back to their previous professions. Thus the vicious cycle of the suffering of the coastal community continues. After 25 days of the event (on 14 June), still people are affected by frequent inflow of the tidal water.

. Almost everyone is traumatised about the COVID-19 pandemic. But, each and every death or suffering by the pandemic or the natural disaster, matters to us. As our life is under threat due to COVID-19, the suffering of these coastal people is losing focus and drawing our attention to the extent it should have. The worry is the absolute or less concern for the suffering of these coastal people during this pandemic event. . Almost everyone is traumatised about the COVID-19 pandemic. But, each and every death or suffering by the pandemic or the natural disaster, matters to us. As our life is under threat due to COVID-19, the suffering of these coastal people is losing focus and drawing our attention to the extent it should have. The worry is the absolute or less concern for the suffering of these coastal people during this pandemic event.

Cyclones are quite frequent here, but the occurrence amid COVID-19 has given us a lesson that, we need to prepare for unseen events or multiple disasters as well. Different phases of responses must be ensured after any disaster from both government and the people around the country. As far our knowledge, a decision has been made by the government of Bangladesh to rebuild the embankment in the area. This is obviously appreciable but any delay would increase the suffering of the people. Therefore, primarily the damages in the embankments should be repaired at the very soonest.

. Proper maintenance and increasing the number of the shelters should be the obvious priority. A report in Prothom Alo on 28 May 2020 pointed to the unsanitary condition of the latrines in the cyclone shelters. Lack of water and washing facilities were reported in many compounds. This should be a prime concern not only in this COVID-19 pandemic, but also in the future to control any water-borne diseases or post-disaster epidemics. Further, ensuring hygiene, improved health care facilitates, gender-friendly environment considering the needs of the women during menstruation or pregnancy period should be taken into consideration. However, the nationwide concern is remarkably less due to obvious reason of COVID-19. More organised effort, contribution of the people from different professional groups and attention of the national media could foster the rehabilitation work in this locality.

Questions might arise about the sustainability of the structure in such an active deltaic environment. The coastal zone is the first among the six listed hotspots of the Bangladesh delta plan (BDP)-2100. This includes the strategic plan to combat against storm surge and salinity intrusion through pragmatic management policy. The saltwater previously damaged the soil fertility of this area and the situation will get worse in the coming days. We need to prepare a better integrated management plan for future problems in this region. Salt tolerant rice varieties like BRRI dhan-61, 67, 73 and others could be a light of hope for rice production in these areas. Therefore, proper adaptation policies should be adopted or alternative livelihoods should be ensured in this affected region.

*Writers Md Rasheduzzaman Pobittro and Md Muhyminul Islam are faculty members, Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management, at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science & Technology University, Gopalganj.